Markov State Modeling of 2D Nanofrictional Sliding, on Smooth and Rough Surfaces

Despite studies from several perspectives, friction still lacks a general theory or approach, mainly due to the complexity in identifying a few relevant variables for the frictional dynamics, among a macroscopic number of degrees of freedom, suitable for the description of the main slow modes of the system. The main goal of the following PhD research project is to try to fill this gap using statistically-based techniques developed in the fields of data science and biomolecular simulations, like clustering algorithms and Markov State Modeling, here extended to non-equilibrium phenomena. Their combined effect is to reduce the dimensionality of the system, by singling out a few, slow, and most relevant time scales and the observables that best describe them. The method we have developed comprises three main steps: a long atomistic Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation of steady-state frictional sliding, a dimensional reduction and finally an analysis of the time scales that underlie the transitions between the main events. To develop the new method, systems of increasing complexity were successfully considered, from a 1D model to a realistic three-dimensional (3D) system of an island of graphene sliding on a rough substrate of gold

Consumer Assessment of New Creative Products Across China and the United States

This cross-cultural research investigates how consumers assess creativity in new products and if their assessment impacts desire to own. Implicit and explicit scale-based measures were tested in China and the U.S. in online consumer samples and were positively correlated. Novelty, affect and importance dimensions of creative products were tested through Horn and Salvendy’s (2006, 2009) Product Creativity Measurement (PCM) scale. Findings point to a different role of novelty in determining desirability of creative new products across-cultures.In fact, novelty and affect are key to explain desire to own in China, while affect and importance are the drivers in the U.S. Affect, which can be viewed as hedonic value, is the key driver of desire to own creative new products across-cultures. Individual differences related to demographics, tolerance of ambiguity and interest in the study product category were also examined. Findings related to novelty, affect and tolerance of ambiguity suggest that traditional cross-cultural views need to be reconsidered. The study has been administered to a sample of 502 consumers aged 18 or older, evenly distributed between genders

Masterplan revitalización y refuncionalización La Cañada: Ciudad de Córdoba

En la segunda parte del Trabajo Final de Carrera, se procedió a elegir una tipología que haya sido propuesta en la primera etapa del masterplan, para su desarrollo se comenzó con el estudio de algunos antecedentes que nos ayuden a entender la tipología que se va a plantear y a abordar el proceso de diseño mucho mas completo. El objetivo principal es poder lograr una propuesta que integre nuevas formas programáticas y que a la vez se integre de forma amena con el entorno inmediato y que proponga nuevos espacios para la Ciudad de Córdoba.Fil: Guzmán Teruzzi, Nicolás Nerio. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Arquitectura; Argentina

Quantum Critical Behavior of One-Dimensional Soft Bosons in the Continuum

We consider a zero-temperature one-dimensional system of bosons interacting via the soft-shoulder potential in the continuum, typical of dressed Rydberg gases. We employ quantum Monte Carlo simulations, which allow for the exact calculation of imaginary-time correlations, and a stochastic analytic continuation method, to extract the dynamical structure factor. At finite densities, in the weakly interacting homogeneous regime, a rotonic spectrum marks the tendency to clustering. With strong interactions, we indeed observe cluster liquid phases emerging, characterized by the spectrum of a composite harmonic chain. Luttinger theory has to be adapted by changing the reference lattice density field. In both the liquid and cluster liquid phases, we find convincing evidence of a secondary mode, which becomes gapless only at the transition. In that region, we also measure the central charge and observe its increase towards c=3/2, as recently evaluated in a related extended Bose-Hubbard model, and we note a fast reduction of the Luttinger parameter. For two-particle clusters, we then interpret such observations in terms of the compresence of a Luttinger liquid and a critical transverse Ising model, related to the instability of the reference lattice density field towards coalescence of sites, typical of potentials which are flat at short distances. Even in the absence of a true lattice, we are able to evaluate the spatial correlation function of a suitable pseudospin operator, which manifests ferromagnetic order in the cluster liquid phase, exponential decay in the liquid phase, and algebraic order at criticality

Cost-utility analysis of propranolol versus corticosteroids in the treatment of proliferating infantile hemangioma in Italy

Objectives Infantile hemangioma (IH) is the most common childhood benign tumour. A recent phase II/III study has demonstrated the success of propranolol for involution of infantile hemangioma as well as a better efficacy and safety when indirectly compared with corticosteroids. The purpose of this study was to estimate the cost-utility of propranolol (Hemangiol), a new medicinal product and the first to be authorized for this specific paediatric indication, versus corticosteroids in the treatment of proliferating infantile hemangioma requiring systemic therapy

Iatrogenic Left Internal Mammary Artery Perforation Treated With a Covered Stent Via Transradial Approach

Abstract Inadvertent perforation of the left internal mammary artery during a blind approach to the subclavian vein for pacemaker or central venous catheter insertion is an emergency that requires immediate treatment. Covered stent deployment is a quick and effective treatment, especially in patients with hemodynamic instability. The procedure may be safely performed by using the radial approach. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.

Static density response of one-dimensional soft bosons across the clustering transition

One-dimensional bosons interacting via a soft-shoulder potential are investigated at zero temperature. The flatness of the potential at short distances introduces a typical length, such that, at relatively high densities and sufficiently strong interactions, clusters are formed, even in the presence of a completely repulsive potential. We evaluate the static density response function of this system across the transition from the liquid to the cluster liquid phases. Such quantity reveals the density modulations induced by a weak periodic external potential, and is maximal at the clustering wavevector. It is known that this response function is proportional to the static structure factor in the classical regime at high temperature, while for this zero-temperature quantum systems, we extract it from the dynamical structure factor evaluated with quantum Monte Carlo methods.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures. Proceedings of the "Recent Progress in Many-Body Theories" international conference, Pohang, South Korea, 201

Efficacy of adalimumab in young children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and chronic uveitis: A case series

Background: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a relatively common chronic disease of childhood, and is associated with persistent morbidity and extra-articular complications, one of the most common being uveitis. The introduction of biologic therapies, particularly those blocking the inflammatory mediator tumor necrosis factor-α, provided a new treatment option for juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients who were refractory to standard therapy such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids and/or methotrexate. Case presentations. The first case was a 2-year-old girl with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and uveitis who failed to respond to treatment with anti-inflammatories, low-dose corticosteroids and methotrexate, and had growth retardation. Adalimumab 24 mg/m2 every 2 weeks and prednisone 0.5 mg/kg/day were added to methotrexate therapy; steroid tapering and withdrawal started after 1 month. After 2 months the patient showed good control of articular and ocular manifestations, and she remained in remission for 1 year, receiving adalimumab and methotrexate with no side effects, and showing significant improvement in growth. Case 2 was a 9-year-old boy with an 8-year history of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and uveitis that initially responded to infliximab, but relapse occurred after 2 years off therapy. After switching to adalimumab, and adjusting doses of both adalimumab and methotrexate based on body surface area, the patient showed good response and corticosteroids were tapered and withdrawn after 6 months; the patient remained in remission taking adalimumab and methotrexate. The final case was a 5-year-old girl with juvenile idiopathic arthritis for whom adalimumab was added to methotrexate therapy after three flares of uveitis. The patient had two subsequent episodes of uveitis that responded well to local therapy, but was then free of both juvenile idiopathic arthritis and uveitis symptoms, allowing methotrexate and then adalimumab to be stopped; the patient remained in drug-free remission. Conclusion: This report includes the first published case of the use of adalimumab in a child aged <3 years. Our clinical experience further supports the use of biologic therapy for the management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and uveitis in children as young as two years of age. © 2014 La Torre et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd